Clip mountings for fountain pens



July 3, 1962 A. E. SIMON, JR., EI'AL 3,041,693

CLIP MOUNTINGS FOR FOUNTAIN PENS Filed 001',- 20, 1960 \J F El- 1- l1 INVENTORS v ALBERT E. S/MO V, J Q Fl 5 5 HAIQOLD E. STE/NBEPG.

. ORNEY United States Patent 3,041,693 CLIP MOUNIINGS FUR FOUNTAIN PENS Albert E. Simon, Jr., Glenside, and Harold E. Steinberg, Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to The Esterbrook Pen Company, Camden, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Oct. 20, 1960, Ser. No. 63,814 3 Claims. or. 24-11 This invention relates to means for mounting clips upon and within the caps of fountain pens and the like. More particularly it relates to clip mountings for these articles which may be readily assembled without the use of tools.

The principal object of the invention is to provide spring tension means disposed within the cap and having means for cooperation with a portion of the rigid clip which portion is inserted in a slot formed in the cap wall and by mere pressure, after insertion of such clip portion in such slot, it may be forced into locking engagement With the spring tension element.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clip which may be made of a material without regard to the ability of such material to flex. In other words, the clip is of the rigid type.

A further object of the invention is to provide a member in the form of an inner cap or liner for insertion in the main or outer cap; the latter being of metal while the inner cap may be of a suitable plastic, such as polyethylene or the like. This inner cap or liner includes a tubular portion for the reception of the writing assembly; the nib and feed-bar, and a recess or chamber at its far end in which the spring tension element is disposed.

The spring tension means is located wholly within the cap and is provided with a portion fixed with respect to the cap so that when the clip is finally associated with the cap it may be moved against the tension of the spring element to engage a portion of a garment Worn by the user.

These and other features of the invention are more fully set forth hereinafter; reference being had to the accompanying drawings; more or less diagrammatic in character, in which FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a cap for a fountain pen, partly in section to illustrate the inner cap or liner and the means for retaining the clip to the cap under spring tension.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spring element designed to hold the clip to the cap.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on the line III-III, FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective View illustrating a modified form of connection between the spring tension element and the clip.

In the drawings, referring more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a cap for a fountain pen or the like is indicated at 10; such cap having a closed end 10*. This cap is preferably of metal and receives an inner cap or liner 11, which may be made of a suitable plastic, such as polyethylene; such inner cap or liner being fixed within the outer cap 10. The inner cap or liner includes a tubular portion 11 for the reception of the writing assembly; the nib and feedbar of the fountain pen (not shown), while the inner end portion of such inner cap or liner is provided with a recess or chamber substantially rectangular, as indicated at 11 which chamber or recess is open at one side. In this chamber, spring tension means are located and held in fixed position with respect to the inner cap.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 3, the spring tension element is in the form of an open folded section of spring metal comprising three leaves; an upper leaf 12, a lower leaf 13 and a central leaf 14. In order that this spring tension member may be held in fixed relation with respect to the cap and the inner liner, the lower leaf 13 is provid- 3,041,693 Patented July 3, 1962 ed with a depending portion 14 lying between the inner cap or liner and the outer metal cap; the outer surface of the inner cap or liner being recessed at 11 to receive the depending portion of the lower leaf in order that the spring tension member may be anchored in place.

The clip is indicated at 15, and this clip is of the rigid type, having a garment engaging portion 15, lying alongside the cap, and an extension 15 at a substantial right angle with respect to the portion 15*. The free end of this extension enters the recess or chamber 11'; passing through a slot 10 of the outer cap. The inner end of the clip extension is provided with a slot 15 and the upper leaf 12 of the spring tension element is provided with a projection 12 which enters this slot; thereby locking the clip in place. It will be understood, of course, that the relation of these cooperating parts may be reversed, and

instead of forming the opening in the inner end of the clip extension, it may be formed in the upper leaf 12 of the spring tension element, and the inner end of the clip extension may be provided with a projection to enter such slot in the leaf of the spring tension element.

The recess or chamber 11 of the inner cap or line is open toward liner in which the spring tension means are disposed, is open at its side or end toward the clip and it is through this opening that the lateral extension of the clip is passed. The inner end of the clip extension is provided with an opening or slot 15 at its inner end and the upper leaf 12 of the spring tension member has a projection entering this slot or opening whereby the clip may be locked to the cap. It will be understood,'of course, that the relation of these cooperating parts may be reversed, and instead of forming the opening in the inner end of the clip extension, it may be formed in the upper leaf of the spring tension at its inner end, and the inner end of the clip extension may be provided with a projection to enter such slot when formed in the upper leaf of the spring tension element. 7

FIG. 4 illustrates a modification of the connection between the clip extension 15 and the spring tension element illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this instance, the upper leaf 12 of the spring tension element is notched at its side edges, as indicated at 12 and the lateral extension 15 of the clip is provided with depending lugs 15 fitting the notches at the sides of the upper leaf of the spring tension element.

In assembling this clip connection with respect to the metal cap of a fountain pen, the wall of the cap is first slotted at a point near its closed end, as indicated at 10 and it is through this slot that the extension 15 of the clip is passed. The liner or inner cap 11 carying the spring tension element disposed in its recess or chamber 11* is then set in place within the outer cap 10 with the spring tension member in proper position to be engaged by the clip extension 15 When the outer cap 10 and the inner cap or liner llare in final position, the extension 15 of the clip is passed through these slots and by pressure forced into locking relation with the spring tension element; the slotted inner end of the clip extension 15 being brought into engagement with the projection carried by the upper leaf of the spring tension element, thereby locking the clip to the cap.

While a specific embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the specification, it will be understood that such disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and not as a limitation since modifications may be made within the spirit of the inventionj all of which is deemed to be within the scope of the v of" an inner liner therefor extending the full length of;

-comple1nental fastening means and the lower leaf has a depending portion lying between the inner wall of the cap and the wall of the inner liner; the latter being recessed for its reception whereby 'said spring element is locked in place, a rigid clip having a portion substantially parallel with said capand a portion substantially at right angles thereto extending into the recess of the inner. liner; said latter-named clip portion having its end shaped to engage the complementalf astening means at the inner end of the upper leaf of the spring tension element.

2. In a construction or arrangement as set forth in claim 1, interlocking means between the inner end of the clip portion entering the recess of the liner and the upper leaf of the spring tension member, comprising a projection at the end of theupper leaf adapted to enter a slot formed in the inner end of the clip portion entering the recess of the liner. i

3. In a construction or arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the interlocking means between the clip portion entering the recess of the liner. and the spring tension element comprise lugs at the sides of'the clip portion, engaging recesses at the sides of the upper leaf of the spring tension element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,170,047 Conway Feb. 1, 1916 1,720,471 Fritsch July 9, 1929 2,031,377 Lindsay Feb. 18, 1936 2,418,218 7 Bauer et a1. Apr. 1, 1947 2,531,113 Davis Nov. 21, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,009,170 France -.L, Feb. 27, 1952 1,048,242 France July 29, 1953 1,071,637 France Mar. 10, 1954 1,086,929

France Aug. 18, 1954 

